President Trump signed an executive order Friday evening to waive sanctions against Russia that were set to take effect under a recently enacted legislative package.
Trump signed the sanctions legislation into law last month, and the package was posthumously dedicated to the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
The legislation sought to pressure the Kremlin to end its military operations against Ukraine by imposing tariffs on top Russian energy purchasers and those helping the country evade sanctions.
Under the law, tariffs of up to 100% would have been imposed within 30 days on goods from the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or gas, as well as countries helping Russia evade sanctions.
Congress passed the law on September 16, and Trump signed it two days later before issuing Friday’s waiver.
In the executive order, Trump stated: “I have submitted to the Congress a certification that the issuance of such a waiver at this time is in the national interests of the United States.”
The waiver came days after Trump struck a deal with Russia for the supply of diesel to the United States and global markets, as his administration pushes to lower fuel prices amid the U.S. war with Iran.
Trump also waived the law’s 500% tariffs on Russian goods and halted certain other sanctions, directing administration officials to “monitor” countries that import Russian energy or help evade sanctions.
The order made clear that the waiver does not undo Russian sanctions previously imposed under earlier executive orders.
China and India, among the largest buyers of Russian oil, had raised concerns about the legislation, with Beijing opposing what it called “long-arm jurisdiction that lacks a basis in international law.”
U.S. Representative Don Beyer, a Virginia Democrat, blasted Trump for the decision, accusing him of giving in to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A Kremlin envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, praised the move on Saturday, writing on social media: “The Trump administration’s suspension of the Graham Act is an important and truly historic moment.”
Trump has been openly warming toward Russia while publicly criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, including suggesting Kyiv needs a new leader.
